Two nabbed for possessing ivory
Police in Rumphi District have arrested two people for being found in possession of two pieces of ivory.
The suspects were arrested in a joint operation by police officers in Rumphi and National police Headquarters Wildlife Investigations Unit.
Rumphi Police spokesperson, Victor Khamisi, said the two suspects were arrested during the late hours of Monday at Hewe in Rumphi after investigators were tipped that the suspects were offering two pieces of ivory for sale.
He said the two pieces of ivory, which weigh 25 kilogrammes each, are believed to have been sourced from Vwaza Game Reserve.
“Since we have only Vwaza Game Reserve and Nyika National Park in the Northern Region, it is suspected that they might have sourced the ivory from Vwaza since it is near Hewe, where the suspects were arrested,” Khamisi said.
Khamisi said the suspects have been charged with two counts.
“The suspects are being charged with two counts of dealing in government trophy and the second one is being in possession a trophy of protected species which is contrary to sections of 86 and 96 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act,” Khamisi said.
The suspects are Dominick Mfune, 30, from Jomboli Village, Traditional Authority Katumbi, and Charity Munthali, 33, from Chilongozi Village, Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe, in Rumphi District.
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